Brief Answer:
Cause of numbness, pain and stiffness

Detailed Answer:
Hi JXXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.


I can understand your concern. The pain might be due to "fibromyalagia" if it is similar to previous pain episodes. But the symptoms of acute stiffness and numbness can be due to various other causes like

- Cervical spondylosis - It is one of the most common diagnosis of half of bodily symptoms. The compression of cervical spinal cord can cause pain in neck, numbness on left side upper and lower limb, stiffness on same side, tingling. It can be suspected more if your age is more than 35 years.

for confirmation, you can get MRI cervical spine done. It will confirm the levels of compression, site of compression, degree of compression. MRI is the best investigation to plan the treatment.

- Transient ischemic attack - It is the transient decrease in the blood supply of the brain. For left side symptoms, the right side brain will be affected. It is commoner in more than 40 years old people, diabetics, hypertensive, obese, high cholesterol/triglyceride persons. If you have any of the above history, it can be suspected.

In TIA, MRI or CT brain is normal. It is a clinical diagnosis. However its reason must be ruled out by CT angiography of neck and brain vessels, lipid profile, blood sugar level. The treatment is given to prevent recurrence of attack and ischemic stroke. Usual treatment is anti platelets , anti lipid drugs and sometimes surgical.

Less likely it can be acute exacerbating attack of fibromyalagia. It can be suspected if all the investigations are normal. Such episodes have occurred in past.

For correct treatment you have to consult neurologist. He will evaluate you and manage according to evaluation. For pain and numbness relief, you can take

- Pregabaline with or without nortriptyline
- Combination of folic acid, B12, pyridoxine, Pentothanic acid
- S-Adenosylmethionine

You can take these medication after prescription. Avoid cold environment, do physiotherapy and stretching exercise. It will also relieve the symptoms.

hope it will help. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.

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